She'll have to:
a) Work her ass off to get that voice right. Nina's is one of the most iconic sounds in music history
b) Learn to act…. Does she know how to act? I've never seen her in anything substantial.
All I know is, we don't really need another musical biopic. Hollywood should wait a few years. I'm still trying to get over my Dreamgirls nightmare. We're always allowing ourselves to be fed these shitt movies that have been adapted from comic books, graphic novels, memoirs, orange juice boxes, or simply another remake/sequel. I don't care if Wall Street 2 is getting good reviews. Does anyone give a fuck what happened to Gordon Gekko? Does anyone think Shia LaBeouf has star power? Off-topic. Anyway, peace.

I love the fact that she is playing her, she has the same kind of hurt that Nina had, she was a Pioneer and trailblazer, she was not afraid to tell anyone how it is… I think she will have to work on her vocals because Nina did have such a unique voice but Mary is a singer she can handle it.

Re: GAYCANUCK – That would also be a perfect choice too, but if you know Nina's suffering it's the same as Mary, deep pain and hurt. Jennifer is just too sweet for the part but, would have been a good choice too.

Most people thought Diana Ross was miscast as Billie Holiday in LADY SINGS THE BLUES, but it got her an Oscar nod. I don't know much about Nina's personal life–it is reported she once threw a drink at Dusty Springfield, because Dusty was a white singer singing R&B, and was often referred to as the "white negress", which Nina didn't like. Fuck the naysayers, though–I think Mary will do fine.

Amazing? Yep. Anybody ever listened to Nina Simone? She has a very dark and deep voice with a lot of vibrato. Mary J has not. Nina Simone had a very deep black skintone and was peculiar and proud looking (rather than pretty). Mary J has a traditional type R'nB-beauty. The casting sucks, even though I like MJ's music.

Amazing?? Yep. Anybody ever listened to Nina Simone? She has a very dark and deep voice with a lot of vibrato. Mary J has not. Nina Simone had a very deep black skintone and was peculiar and proud looking (rather than pretty). Mary J has a traditional type R'nB-beauty. The casting sucks, even though I like MJ's music.

To the Fuckin Fools that doubt the ability of the great Mary J Blige , this woman has an amazing perfessional entertainment career and i doubt that shes decided to drop the ball now. With that being said this woman has acted many times b4 and has done a pretty good job at it , im quite sure better than many of you no talent wannabes judging . Someone said shes racist , since fucking when? All this woman sings about is self acceptance and love . The people that are doubting are racist , they know nothing about her at and doesnt want to learn anything about this person and thats very sad because she has decades worth of hits and album gems that a true classics. They chose her because they both slightly went through the same similar pains within relationships, family, drug use , music ,RACISM!! U PPL!!! etc. So as far as she needing to prove herself to you fools to play this part - U PROVE URSELF TO HER AND LISTEN TO THE MYLIFE ALBUM AND FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE. MJB has been around forever as all of your favs flop and leave from existence and on top of that Nina Simones a great singer and all but shes no MARY J BLIGE AT ALL and I MEAN AT ALL! Shes never made one bad albm done believe check her record instead of hating cuz she aint your color or whteva mary makes so called cross over hits - its jst music but um yea Marys gonna do great with the role .

Re: GAYCANUCK – You sound stupid too Nina had pain in her voice and is soulful (the high priestess of soul) Mary J Blige has pain in her voice and is very soulful (The Queen Of Hiphop Soul) JHud had nothing but american idol, that oscar and that awful Albm that im sure you do not own so try again Lady mary owns this role and shits not even out yet . And i feel your racist too

This is not news - it has been in the works for years. And as a huge MJB fan, and slightly huger Nina fan, I am conflicted by this. Although Mary doesn't share some of Nina's most distinguishing traits - ie her fierce piano skills and trembling, adrogynous baritone - her story does bear a resemblance to Nina's. Both singers bore the burden of being young, gifted and black women growing up in harsh surroundings - Nina in the guttural South of the 50s and Mary in the desperate housing projects of 70s New York. And most importantly, the two share the ability of luring listeners into their souls by conveying profound emotion in their singing voices. Those odds are good enough for me.

Re: FiveStarFreddie –
WTF does slavery have to do with Mary J. Blige? And another thing, You suck at history bitch. You do realize slavery even of "her" people and many other societies have dealt with slavery for so many millienia its ridiculous. Not to mention her "enslaved" people were "slaves" to their people. And as a matter of fact, sold out each other. Don't make this a fucking race issue you ignorant shit. And if you are atleast get your facts right you ignorant fuck. You are dismissed. Now go read a history book bitch.

Bad casting choice most definitely. Which sucks because Nina Simone deserves better than that. They should have searched for an unknown. Would have to be better than watching MJ slog her way through a scene.

Re: FiveStarFreddie – was she herself enslaved? NO! my grandfather was held captive at Auschwitz by the Germans, doe that mean I hate Germans? NO! black people always blame white people for everything! Take responsibility for your own actions Ans stop blaming the white man for all of your problems!

Re: B-MoreBabe – DO NOT PUT ME IN A BOAT AS I HAVE NOT PUT YOU IN A BOAT! Don't be an ass and never, ever assume we all think alike just as your people, I am most certain, do not all think alike. Comment to the person who made the statement, not to the entire race! Makes you look just as ridiculously ignorant…

Shane Redway -- a Canadian rapper and close friend of Drake's -- was killed early Saturday morning in a car crash. He was just 26 years old.

Redway and two others were killed when their car lost control, struck a guardrail and burst into flames. The crash occurred around 4am outside Pearson International Airport in Toronto. It's unclear who was behind the wheel. Police are investigating the crash.

Drake took to Instagram to remember Redway, posting two different tributes.